Herding Other Dogs

by Cameron Tilbury
(Nashville, Tennessee, USA)

Our two-year old Aussie, Dixie, will fixate on one dog at the dog park... barking incessantly at the dog (usually short-haired, light colored) and nipping at their heels. Obviously, Dixie is wanting them to run, so she can chase and herd. When she's doing this, Dixie goes "deaf" and completely ignores me. Most dogs will let her know when they've had enough of her behavior, but some times she nips dogs enough to draw blood--which makes owners mad (it would make me mad too).

I've always had Border Collies, and even with strong herding tendencies, they've never nipped at other dogs.